MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'complementary and alternative medicine'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:26:34 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107522&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fconsumer-reports-promotes-alternative-medicine-with-questionable-research%2F2011.08.07 Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve intermittently read Consumer Reports, relying on it for guidance in all manner of purchase decisions. CR has been known for rigorous testing of all manner of consumer products and the rating of various services, arriving at its rankings through a systematic testing method that, while not necessarily bulletproof, has been far more organized and consistent than most other ranking systems. True, I haven’t always agreed with CR’s rankings of products and services about which I know a lot, but at the very least CR has often made me think about how much of my assessments are based on objective measures and how much on subjective measures. Until now. I just saw something yesterday on the CR website that has made me wonder just how scientific CR’s testing ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107522 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 18:00:43 +0100 5107522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968489&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffda-approved-drugs-are-not-always-effective-the-benefits-of-alternative-medicine%2F2011.06.25 On Saturday, while thousands of Boston Bruins fans gathered at Government Center to celebrate the team’s recent Stanley Cup victory, a hundred or so true die-hards met a few blocks away at a Massachusetts General Hospital conference to talk about complementary and alternative medicine for psychiatric disorders. While I hated to miss the Bruins parade, I’m glad I attended the MGH conference. I’ve always been a bit of a skeptic about so-called natural therapies for one simple reason: they don’t have to go through the same rigorous testing in clinical trials that medications do. At the same time, I realize that FDA-approved drugs don’t work for everyone. One in three adults with major depression, for example, can’t completely improve their mood and other symptoms even after trying... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968489 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:00:31 +0100 4968489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714743&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcomplementary-and-alternative-medicine-can-be-a-regressive-force-against-true-science%2F2011.04.14 Science is a philosophy, a technology, and an institution. It is a human endeavor- our collective attempt to understand the world around us,  not something that exists solely in the abstract. All of these aspects of science have been progressing over the past decades and centuries, as we refine our concepts of what science is and how it works, as we develop better techniques, and organize and police scientific activities more effectively. The practice of science is not relentlessly progressive, however, and there are many regressive forces causing pockets of backsliding, and even aggressive campaigns against scientific progress. So-called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is one such regressive force. It seeks to undermine the concepts, execution, and institutions of medical sc... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714743 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:00:08 +0100 4714743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684324&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdont-believe-the-hype-acupuncture-and-alternative-medicine-is-not-so-popular%2F2011.04.05 Everybody’s Doing It One argument that often comes up when skeptics and proponents of so-called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) debate is the question of the popularity of various CAM practices. Advocates of CAM often claim these practices are widely used and growing rapidly in popularity. Obviously, CAM proponents have an interest in characterizing their practices as widely accepted and utilized. Even though the popularity of an idea is not a reliable indication of whether or not it is true, most people are inclined to accept that if a lot of people believe in something there must be at least some truth to it. The evidence against this idea is overwhelming, but it is a deeply intuitive, intransigent notion that can only rarely be dislodged. It might therefore be useful to g... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684324 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:00:21 +0100 4684324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294632&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fvaginal-steam-baths-a-medical-opinion%2F2010.12.27 A spa in California is offering vaginal steam baths, in which spa-goers squat or sit on open stools over a tub of hot steam, as a cure-all for menstrual, digestion, and mood disorders: The V-Steam: Inspired by an ancient ritual practiced for many years in Korea. The steam from the herbal tea rises and absorbs into your skin & orifice. This steaming treatment stimulates the production of hormones to maintain uterine health, aids regular menstrual cycles, helps correct digestive disorders while soothing the nervous system. The natural antibiotic and anti-fungal properties are said to help maintain internal health as well as keeping your skin looking young. (30 min: $50. Series of 6: $180.) It’s a douche, folks. A $50 douche made with mugwort and 13 other herbs and having a fancy Korea... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294632 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:00:53 +0100 4294632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4285202&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fchinese-bloodletting-forbidden-in-california%2F2010.12.23 In November 2010, the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) finally decided to act responsibly and forbid the prevalent practice of Chinese bloodletting by licensed acupuncturists. The practice became a concern for the DCA when allegations of unsanitary bloodletting at a California (CA) acupuncture school surfaced. The incident allegedly occurred during a “doctoral” course for licensed practitioners. The instructor was reportedly demonstrating advanced needling and bloodletting techniques. During the process, he took an arrow-like lancing instrument that is called a “three-edged needle” (三棱针), sharpened it with sandpaper, cleaned it with alcohol, and then asked a student-volunteer to roll a towel around his neck. The instructor then cleaned the student’s temporal ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4285202 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:00:17 +0100 4285202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4245305&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Facupuncture-via-skymall%2F2010.12.09 The worst part of flying is the takeoff and landing. Not that I am nervous about those parts of the trip, it is that I am all electronic. Once I have to turn off my electronic devices, all I am left with is my own thoughts or what is in the seat pocket in front of me. Since there is nothing to be gained from quiet introspection, I am stuck with either the in-flight magazine or SkyMall. I usually choose the latter. SkyMall, for those of you who do not fly, is a collection of catalogs bound in one volume. I have occasionally purchased products found in SkyMall and thumb through it with mild interest. This time one product caught my eye, the Aculife home acupuncture/acupressure device. I had never noticed the “health”-related products in SkyMall before, usually looking for electro... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4245305 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:00:28 +0100 4245305 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179322&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhomeopathy-fibromyalgia-a-woo-magnet%2F2010.11.18 Over the weekend, my wife and I happened to be in the pharmacy section of our local Target store. We happened to be looking for one of our favorite cold remedies, because both of us have been suffering from rather annoying colds, which have plagued both of us for the last week or two. As we perused the Cold and Flu section of the pharmacy, we were struck at how much shelf space was taken up by Airborne (which was “invented by a schoolteacher.“) Nearly three years ago Airborne had to settle a case brought against it alleging false advertising to the tune of $23 million. Despite that, Airborne is still being sold, and there are even a whole bunch of knock-off products copying it. Then, as we continued to look for our favored cold remedy, we noted that, sitting right next to the extensive... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179322 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:00:11 +0100 4179322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4155234&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fimmunizations-nccam-fails-to-provide-responsible-information%2F2010.11.11 If you go to the website of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), you’ll find that one of its self-identified roles is to “provide information about CAM.” NCCAM Director Josephine Briggs is proud to assert that the website fulfills this expectation. As many readers will recall, three of your bloggers visited the NCCAM last April, after having received an invitation from Dr. Briggs. We differed from her in our opinion of the website: One of our suggestions was that the NCCAM could do a better job providing American citizens with useful and accurate information about “CAM.” We cited, among several examples, the website offering little response to the dangerous problem of widespread misinformation about childhood immunizations. As Dr. Novella subseq... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4155234 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:00:51 +0100 4155234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139236&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhigh-cholesterol-and-red-yeast-rice-supplements%2F2010.11.05 People are always on the search for “natural” ways to stay healthy and reduce cholesterol. Chinese red yeast rice supplements have been touted as a natural, safer way to lower cholesterol compared to statin medications. The yeast that grows on a particular type of rice contains a family of substances called monocolins, which lower cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol production in the liver in the same manner as prescription statin drugs. Some studies have shown as much as a 15 percent drop in cholesterol. All of this sounds good until you dig a little deeper. Supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and a new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that different brands of red yeast rice supplements have dramatic variation in le... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139236 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0100 4139236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077246&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdo-you-have-low-t%2F2010.10.17 If you google “low testosterone” you’ll see lots of ads for testosterone replacement. Some are from pharmaceutical companies that sell testosterone, others from obvious snake-oil salesmen. Both types of ads list vague sets of symptoms, encourage you to believe that they are pathologic, and want to sell you something to make you better. For example, the pharmaceutical company Solvay gives you a handy guide for speaking to your doctor, and a quiz to see if you have “low T.” The quiz asks some questions that may be useful, but also asks very general questions about your sense of well being. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Science-Based Medicine* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077246 Sun, 17 Oct 2010 21:00:01 +0100 4077246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074068&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Funscientific-medicine-what%25e2%2580%2599s-the-harm%2F2010.10.14 Any promoter of science-based medicine often faces the question: “What’s the harm?” What is the harm if people try treatment modalities that are not based upon good science, that are anecdotal, or provide only a placebo benefit? There are generally two premises to this question. The first is that most “alternative” placebo interventions are directly harmless. The second is that direct harm is the only type worth considering. Both of these premises are wrong. The pages of Science Based Medicine (SBM) are filled with accounts of direct harm from unscientific treatments: Argyria from colloidal silver, death from chelation therapy, infection or other complications from acupuncture, burns from ear candleing, stroke from chiropractic neck manipulation — the list goes on. ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074068 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:00:50 +0100 4074068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4040565&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbook-review-the-mayo-clinic-book-of-home-remedies%2F2010.10.07 I write a lot of critical articles. It’s nice to be able to write a positive one for a change. I received a prepublication proof of The Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies: What to Do for the Most Common Health Problems. It is due to be released on October 26 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon.com. Since “quackademic” medicine is infiltrating our best institutions and organizations, I wasn’t sure I could trust even the prestigious Mayo Clinic. I was expecting some questionable recommendations for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, but I found nothing in the book that I could seriously object to. It is organized alphabetically, starting with acne and airplane ear and progressing through bedbugs, boils and bronchitis, dandruff, depression and diabetes to warts, w... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4040565 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:00:43 +0100 4040565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3885344&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-selectiveness-of-science-denialism%2F2010.08.19 Statement #1: The holocaust never happened. Hitler loved Jews and respected Jewish culture. The photographic evidence of the camps, including the bodies and atrocities, were all fakes designed by the State of Israel to generate international sympathy. Statement #2: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an effective treatment for numerous medical conditions. Acupuncture has been around for centuries and is widely practiced in China and elsewhere. Science has proven its efficacy in controlled experiments. With any luck, that first statement should generate dozens of hits from watchdog groups berating me for spreading the vile lie of Holocaust denial. The second statement, or words perilously close to that effect, has appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine, a previously-prestigious ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3885344 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:00:13 +0100 3885344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3872552&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpatients-are-avoiding-healthcare-because-of-costs%2F2010.08.16 One in five Americans didn’t seek medical care for a recent illness or injury, often because of the cost, according to a survey of adults polled by a healthcare consulting firm, and the number of people who saw a doctor fell as well. Four out of 10 adults said the cost was the main reason not to seek care, a trend that be driven by unemployment and health insurance costs, said a survey by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. They surveyed more than 4,000 adults. Also, 79 percent of respondents sought medical attention from a doctor or other health care professional in 2010, down from 85 percent in 2009. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Internist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3872552 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:00:00 +0100 3872552 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3780358&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-case-of-the-winkler-county-whistleblowing-nurses%2F2010.07.22 I can’t speak for anyone else who blogs here at Science-Based Medicine, but there’s one thing I like to emphasize to people who complain that we exist only to “bash ‘alternative’ medicine.” We don’t. We exist to champion medicine based on science against all manner of dubious practices. Part of that mandate involves understanding and accepting that science-based medicine (SBM) is not perfect. It is not some sort of panacea. Rather, it has many shortcomings and all too often does not live up to its promise. Our argument is merely that, similar to Winston Churchill’s invocation of the famous saying that “democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried,” science-based medicine is the worst form of medicine except for all the others tha... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3780358 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:00:59 +0100 3780358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3625499&cid=t_356915_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpain-relief-study-has-potential-with-a-spin%2F2010.06.03 The development of drugs and other treatments for specific symptoms or conditions relies heavily on either serendipity (the chance finding of a beneficial effect) or on an understanding of underlying mechanisms. In pain, for example, there are limited ways in which we can block pain signals –- such as activating opiate receptors, or inhibiting prostaglandins. There are only so many ways in which you can interact with these systems. The discovery of a novel mechanism of modulating pain is therefore most welcome, and has the potential of leading to entirely new treatments that may have a better side effect profile than existing treatments and also have an additive clinical effect. A recent study by Nana Goldman et. al., published in Nature Neuroscience, adds to our understanding of pain re... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3625499 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:00:53 +0100 3625499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657723&cid=t_356915_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FNwUIs3qXV4o%2F Let’s play Jeopardy! Answer: 33.9 billion on CAM. {cue the Jeopardy! music} Question: How much did Americans spend on complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) in 12 months? On top of the trillions of dollars (with a “tr”) spent annually on health care in the United States, Americans are spending almost 34 billion - with a “b” - on alternative treatments. According to the NIH/National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, about 38% of Americans use some sort of CAM to either stay healthy or help manage or treat illness or symptoms of illness. CAM covers a wide variety of practices, too numerous to mention. But the most commonly known are: acupuncture chiropractics homeopathy supplements The Center broke down the costs even further: $22 bill... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657723 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:16:53 +0100 2657723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2201194&cid=t_356915_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fanother-look-at-ldn-for-ms%2F This week I’ve been mining the latest issue of “Momentum” for blog topics.  One which was particularly timely, as some of you have been asking for it of late, is low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as therapy for multiple sclerosis. We’ve had some conversations about LDN in the past and with some recently completed and published small studies on the topic, I thought it high time to stir that conversation once again. Many of us want to know more about LDN for our multiple sclerosis as it is both cheap (about $1.00 per day!) and oral (no needles!).  Many in that same group are skeptical of the anecdotal information we’ve been able to find on such a therapy. Naltreoxone was developed (and only FDA approved) for the treatment of certain opiate and alcohol addictions. Give... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2201194 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:03:30 +0100 2201194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1500304&cid=t_356915_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fvideo-play.mp4%3FcontentId%3D74e282631cfed93e%26type%3Dvideo%252Fmp4 We've rounded up the most recent strange and wonderful medical stories that didn't make it into our June issue of NRM.Pills to boost first-person-shooter performanceBERLIN -- Eschewing the days of Jolt Cola and Red Bull, hardcore video gamers are turning to caffeine-laced vitamin pills to stay juiced during all-night head-to-head battles. The pills, marketed as FpsBrain by the German company Tomarni GmbH, promise to "speed up your mind" with "rapid reaction and focus" and offer a 110% money back guarantee! Looking for more benefits? Unlike caffeinated drinks, it's reported the pills don't produce hand tremors -- giving gamers precise aim at their virtual enemies.Photo: Tomarni GmbHMD claims Alzheimer's reversal "in minutes"LOS ANGELES -- Sensational footage from a video released in early A... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1500304 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:21:00 +0100 1500304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1466296&cid=t_356915_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Freporter-at-large-my-bloodsucking-visit.html This article originally appeared in the National Review of Medicine, May 2008, alongside an article titled "Gross-out folk remedies make a comeback: Leeches, maggots and other icky therapies are gaining mainstream acceptance."Photo: Graham LanktreeCheck out our website: www.nationalreviewofmedicine.com (Source: Canadian Medicine) Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1466296 Fri, 23 May 2008 16:55:00 +0100 1466296 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1325673&cid=t_356915_93_f&fid=36528&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpandabearmd.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F03%2F25%2Fdefending-the-pie%2F (The pie is a metaphor. I’m only mentioning this because the last time I mentioned pie, I received several irate emails, the gist of which were that pie is not to blame for the collapse of society. -PB) Primary Snake Oil The silliest thing about the practitioners of Complementary and alternative medicine is that they don’t know when to leave well enough alone. Currently, with the exception of the occasional over-enthusiastic chiropractor who breaks somebody’s neck or tears an important artery that he has never even heard of, Complementary and Alternative Medicine is a low-risk enterprise, the business model of which is to take a panel of essentially healthy patients with predominantly psychosomatic complaints, stroke their egos a little, mumble either some pseudo-scienti... PANDA BEAR, MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1325673 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:51:01 +0100 1325673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1318011&cid=t_356915_93_f&fid=36528&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpandabearmd.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F03%2F20%2Fevidence-based-medicine-we-dont-need-no-stinking-evidence-based-medicine%2F The Free Netter’s Ain’t Worth It I am an educated man. I have an extensive liberal education, a degree in Civil Engineering, a Medical Degree, and am almost done with residency training in Emergency Medicine. Just for fun, I read the kinds of books they forced you to read in your long-forgotten English literature course (not that you actually read them but instead passed the course with the help of CliffsNotes and the professor’s fear of damaging your ego). While not an expert in much, I have a good working knowledge of physics, biology, chemistry and enough of the medical sciences where I at least know enough to understand new concepts as they present themselves and when smoke is being blown up my ass. On the other hand I am also an ordinary guy and have done my share o... PANDA BEAR, MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1318011 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:53:37 +0100 1318011 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1286654&cid=t_356915_107_f&fid=36585&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHighlightHEALTH%2F%7E3%2F247573921%2F Conclusion Thanks to everyone that contributed articles — it’s been a pleasure to host this months edition of the Cancer Research Carnival. Be sure to take a moment and let your fellow bloggers know this issue is available so that everyone’s hard work can be appreciated and enjoyed by all. You can find more information about the carnival as well as the hosting schedule and past editions at the Cancer Research Blog Carnival. References Cancer Facts & Figures 2008. American Cancer Society. Atlanta, Ga. 2008. Report Says Half a Million Cancer Deaths Have Been Averted Since Death Rate Drop. American Cancer Society Press Release. 2008 Feb 20. Vickers A. Cancer Data? Sorry, Can’t Have It. The New York Times. 2008 Jan 22. Apel et al. Blocked autophagy sensitizes resis... Highlight HEALTH blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1286654 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:47:38 +0100 1286654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1057599&cid=t_356915_93_f&fid=36528&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpandabearmd.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F11%2F28%2Fnothing-much-more-to-say-about-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-cam-month-draws-to-a-close%2F Everything You Need to Know About Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Part the Third and Last) (One last time I state the obvious while continuing to marvel that it needs to be explained although judging from my email and comments it does. -PB)  8.  You Can’t Have it Both Ways  I have some fundamentalist Christian relatives who believe the Bible to be a literal account of the creation of the world.  They’re not wishy-washy Christians who get all mushy around the edges and, in an effort to reconcile science and their weak faith, allow that perhaps “a day to God is a billion years to the rest of us.”  The Bible says the world was created in six days and by golly, it was created in six 24-hour days.  God said it.  They believe it.  If you don’t you... PANDA BEAR, MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1057599 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:05:39 +0100 1057599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1018575&cid=t_356915_93_f&fid=36528&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpandabearmd.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F11%2F10%2Feverything-you-need-to-know-about-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-part-1%2F (Just belaboring the obvious again. Some things should speak for themselves but judging from my angry email defending Complementary and Alternative Medicine, this is not the case. Rather than respond publicly to private emails I thought I would address some of the major themes of my critics. -PB) . 1. The Imperfections of real medicine do not validate your kooky theories. You, oh purveyor of snake oil, may exhaust yourself pointing out the flaws in medical science. You may grimly list the horrific side effects of many of our therapies and gleefully highlight the lack of evidence for quite a few things done in the real medical world. You may even solemnly condemn our general inability to really cure much of anything but, apart from making yourself really tired and giving me a crick in my ne... PANDA BEAR, MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1018575 Sat, 10 Nov 2007 05:58:37 +0100 1018575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=998909&cid=t_356915_93_f&fid=36528&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpandabearmd.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F11%2F01%2Fkicking-off-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-month%2F (November is going to be Complementary and Alternative Medicine month here on Panda Bear, MD.  My recent posts on the subject have generated a lot of interest, quite a few visits, and a bunch of angry email so I believe there is some interest in the subject out there.  I apologize to you, oh my long-suffering readers, who would like to read more about residency and medical school but as I have categorized all of my previous articles on that subject and I have recently thrown you plenty of red meat on the subject of Emergency Medicine I ask for your indulgence as we explore the inroads of the lunatic fringe into the medical profession.-PB) If Wishes and Buts Were Candies and Nuts We’d All Have a Merry Christmas No one thinks rationally anymore, not even the well-educated. While ... PANDA BEAR, MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=998909 Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:33:55 +0100 998909